Carbon deposition elimination method

ABSTRACT

A carbon deposition eliminating method includes the steps of: a) providing an exhaust pipe having a waste gas inlet and an air inlet at one end and an exhaust gas purifier at the other end and a combustion chamber on the middle, b) using a sensor to detect the pressure of the waste gas in the combustion chamber, c) enabling an automatic control system to open the air inlet for guiding outside fresh air into the combustion chamber when the waste gas pressure in the combustion chamber is high, d) starting a flamethrower to heat the combustion chamber to about 350° C.˜600° C., e) enabling the heated high temperature waste gas to pass through the exhaust gas purifier and to carry cumulated carbon away from the exhaust gas purifier, and f) enabling the automatic control system to close the air inlet and to open the waste gas inlet for letting engine exhaust gas to pass through the exhaust pipe when the waste gas pressure in the combustion chamber drops below the predetermined pressure level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carbon deposition technology and more particularly, to a carbon deposition eliminating method that effectively eliminates cumulated carbon from the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel engine vehicle.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

A diesel engine discharges a big amount of waste gas to pollute the atmosphere during operation. Exhaust gases in the atmosphere causes a greenhouse effect, i.e., the rise in temperature that the Earth experiences. A strong greenhouse effect in the atmosphere makes the Earth warmer than usual. An extra warning of the Earth may cause problems for humans, plants, and animals. Since the late 20th century, the strong greenhouse effect in the atmosphere has aroused great concern among people around use. More particularly, the automotive industry has been continuously proposing new measures to reduce the exhaust amount of waste gas. One of the best way to reduce the exhaust amount of waste gas from the diesel engine of a diesel vehicle is to install an exhaust gas purifier in the exhaust pipe of the diesel vehicle. However, carbon will deposit in the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier to block the passage after a certain period of use, thereby affecting exhausting effect and normal functioning of the diesel engine.

When a certain amount of carbon is cumulated in the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel vehicle, the passage of the exhaust gas purifier will be partially blocked, causing a rise in pressure (back pressure) in the exhaust pipe. Therefore, a backpressure sensor may be installed in the exhaust pipe of a diesel engine to detect the pressure level of the waste gas in the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier, monitoring the status of deposition of carbon. When the deposition of carbon in the inside wall of the exhaust pipe reaches a certain thickness, the backpressure sensor will detect a high level of back pressure, and the engine management system will give a signal to increase the working temperature of the diesel engine, thereby burning out cumulated carbon. However, when a vehicle stops frequently due to a poor traffic condition or frequently runs at idle speed due to driver's personal driving habit, the low engine speed cannot raise the engine working temperature for enabling the cumulated carbon to be burned out. When an excessive amount of carbon is cumulated in the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe, the driver may have to send the vehicle to an auto repair and service center, asking a mechanic to clean the exhaust pipe and to remove deposition of carbon from the exhaust gas purifier. This manner is inconvenience and time-wasting.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a measure that effectively removes cumulated carbon from the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a carbon deposition eliminating method, which effectively removes the carbon deposited on the inside surface of the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel engine. It is another object of the present invention to provide a carbon deposition eliminating method, which automatically removes the carbon deposited on the inside surface of the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier of the exhaust pipe of a diesel engine without increasing the engine working temperature, and therefore carbon deposition can be effectively eliminated under any traffic conditions or driver's personal driving habit so that the engine performance is maintained.

To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the carbon deposition eliminating method comprises the steps of: a) providing an exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe comprising an input end and an output end, a waste gas inlet and an air inlet provided at the input end, an exhaust gas purifier disposed in the output end, and a combustion chamber in communication between the waste gas inlet and air inlet at the input end and the exhaust gas purifier in the output end; b) using a sensor to detect the pressure of the waste gas being delivered through the combustion chamber toward the exhaust-gas purifier; c) enabling an automatic control system to open the air inlet for guiding outside fresh air into the combustion chamber when the pressure of the waste gas being delivered through the combustion chamber toward the exhaust-gas purifier surpasses a predetermined pressure level; d) starting a flamethrower to project a long controllable stream of fire into the combustion chamber to heat the combustion chamber to a temperature range of 350° C.˜600° C.; e) enabling the heated waste gas to pass from the combustion chamber through the exhaust gas purifier toward the output end of the exhaust pipe to remove cumulated carbon from the exhaust gas purifier; and f) enabling the automatic control system to close the air inlet and to open the waste gas inlet for guiding a waste gas from a diesel engine into the combustion chamber toward the output end of the exhaust pipe via the exhaust gas purifier when the pressure of the waste gas pressure of the waste gas being delivered through the combustion chamber toward the exhaust-gas purifier drops below the predetermined pressure level.

Further, to prevent reverse flow of air or engine waste gas, the air inlet and the waste gas inlet have a respective one-way valve mounted therein. Further, to obtain excellent waste gas filtering effect, the exhaust gas purifier is formed of a honeycomb novel metal catalyst converter.

When compared with a conventional exhaust gas purifier for diesel engine, the carbon deposition eliminating operation of the present invention is free from the influence of the engine working temperature, and therefore the invention achieves a better performance in eliminating carbon deposition, improving the performance of the engine.

The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a carbon deposition eliminating method in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the structure of a carbon deposition eliminating system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a carbon deposition eliminating method in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of:

a) providing an exhaust pipe 1 having an input end 11 and an output end 12 and having installed therein a waste gas inlet 13 and an air inlet 14 at the input end 11 and an exhaust gas purifier 5 near the output end 12 and a combustion chamber 15 on the middle between the waste gas inlet 13 and air inlet 14 at the input end 11 and the exhaust gas purifier 5 near the output end 12;

b) using a pressure sensor 6 to detect the pressure of the waste gas in front of the exhaust-gas purifier 5;

c) enabling an automatic control system to open the passage of the air inlet 14 for guiding outside fresh air into the combustion chamber 15 of the exhaust pipe 1 when the pressure of the waste gas in front of the exhaust gas purifier 5 surpasses a predetermined level;

d) starting a flamethrower to project a long controllable stream of fire into the combustion chamber 15 to burn the mixture of waste gas and air to the temperature range of 350° C.˜600° C.;

e) enabling the heated gas to pass from the combustion chamber 15 through the exhaust gas purifier 5 toward the output end 12 of the exhaust pipe 1 to remove cumulated carbon from the exhaust gas purifier 5; and

f) enabling the automatic control system to close the passage of the air inlet 14 and to open the passage of the waste-gas inlet 13 for guiding waste gas from the diesel engine into the combustion chamber 15 toward the output end 12 of the exhaust pipe 1 via the exhaust gas purifier 5 when the pressure of the waste gas in front of the exhaust gas purifier 5 drops below the aforesaid predetermined level.

In the aforesaid step b), a pressure sensor 6 is used to detect the pressure of the waste gas in front of the exhaust gas purifier 5 so that an automatic control system can control closing/opening of the waste gas inlet 13 and the air inlet 14 automatically subject to the detection status of the pressure sensor 6. Alternatively, a timer and a milometer may be installed and electrically connected to the automatic control system such that the user can set to start the automatic control system subject to a predetermined time interval or a predetermined travel, causing the automatic control system to open the air inlet 14 for guiding outside fresh air into the combustion chamber 15 and to drive a flamethrower for projecting a long controllable stream of fire into the combustion chamber 15 to burn the mixture of waste gas and air. Thus, the exhaust pipe 1 can periodically and automatically clean the deposition of carbon.

Referring to FIG. 2, the waste gas inlet 13 at the input end 11 of the exhaust pipe 1 is connected to the exhaust manifold of the diesel engine, and a one-way valve 131 is installed in the waste gas inlet 13 to prohibit reverse flow of waste gas; the air inlet 14 at the input end 11 of the exhaust pipe 1 is extended to the outside of the diesel engine for guiding inside outside fresh air, and a one-way valve 141 is installed in the air inlet 14 to prohibit reverse flow of intake fresh air.

The combustion chamber, referenced by 15 has mounted therein a cylindrical strainer 2 mounted therein in a concentric manner relative to the exhaust pipe 1 so that gas flows smoothly through the combustion chamber 15. Further, the aforesaid flamethrower comprises a fuel nozzle 3 installed in the exhaust pipe 1 and connected to an external fuel source (not shown) through a fuel pipe 31 for ejecting fuel into the combustion chamber 15, an automatic ignition system 4 disposed around the fuel nozzle 3 and controllable to ignite the stream of fuel ejected by the fuel nozzle 3. Further, a pressure pump may be used to pump fuel out of the fuel source into the fuel pipe 31 and the fuel nozzle 3 so that the fuel nozzle 3 can project a mist of fuel into the combustion chamber 15 for burning. The automatic ignition system 4 is electrically connected to the automatic control system and the car battery of the vehicle so that the automatic control system automatically controls the automatic ignition system 4 to generate sparks upon ejection of a mist of fuel into the combustion chamber 15 by the fuel nozzle 3. Further, the aforesaid sensor 6 is a backpressure sensor installed in the peripheral wall of the combustion chamber 15 at a suitable location and electrically connected to the automatic control system.

Further, the exhaust gas purifier 5 according to the present preferred embodiment is a honeycomb novel metal catalyst converter installed in the exhaust pipe 1 and abutted to the inside of the output end 12. According to the present invention, the flamethrower normally does no work, the one-way valve 141 in the air inlet 14 is closed to prohibit outside fresh air from entering the exhaust pipe 1, and the one-way valve 131 in the waste gas inlet 13 is opened to let exhaust gas go from the diesel engine through the waste gas inlet 13 into the combustion chamber 15 and then the exhaust gas purifier 5, so that the filter element of the exhaust gas purifier 5 removes solid matter from the exhaust gas that goes through the exhaust gas purifier 5 toward the output end 12 of the exhaust pipe 1. When the waste gas exhausting status of the exhaust pipe 1 is smooth and the back pressure of the exhaust waste gas detected by the sensor 6 is below the predetermined level, or when the travel time does not reach the set time interval, or when the travel distance does not reach the set mileage, the automatic control system does not start the flamethrower. After a certain period in operation, the performance of the exhaust gas purifier 5 may be lowered due to a deposition of carbon, and the backpressure in the combustion chamber 15 may be increased. When the backpressure in the combustion chamber 15 reaches the predetermined level and is detected by the sensor 6, the sensor 6 immediately gives a signal to the automatic control system. Upon receipt of the signal from the sensor 6, or when the travel time reaches the set time interval or the travel distance reaches the set mileage, the automatic control system immediately opens the one-way valve 141 and closes the one-way valve 131 to let outside fresh air enter the combustion chamber 15 and to stop engine exhaust gas from entering the exhaust pipe 1 and, at the same time the automatic control system drives the pressure pump to pump fuel out of the fuel source into the fuel nozzle 3 for ejection into the combustion chamber 15 to mix with the intake flow of fresh air and turns on the automatic ignition system 4 to generate sparks for burning the fuel mixture to the expected temperature range of 350° C.˜600° C. This high temperature is immediately transferred to the exhaust gas purifier 5 to burn out the cumulated carbon. Thus, the exhaust gas purifier 5 returns to a smooth status without blocking. When the back pressure of the combustion chamber 15 detected by the sensor 6 drops below the predetermined pressure level or after the set carbon burning time is up, a signal is produced and sent to the automatic control system, causing the automatic control system to close the one-way valve 141 and at the same time to turn off the flamethrower and to open the one way valve 131. Thus, when the diesel engine is started again, the exhaust gas goes through the exhaust pipe 1 and filtered by the exhaust gas purifier 5 before passing out of the output end 12 of the exhaust pipe 1. The aforesaid operation procedure is repeated again and again, and therefore carbon deposition is effectively eliminated.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A carbon deposition eliminating method, comprising the steps of: a) providing an exhaust pipe, said exhaust pipe comprising an input end and an output end, a waste gas inlet and an air inlet provided at said input end, an exhaust gas purifier disposed in said output end, and a combustion chamber in communication between said waste gas inlet and said air inlet at said input end and said exhaust gas purifier in said output end; b) using a sensor to detect the pressure of the waste gas being delivered through said combustion chamber toward said exhaust-gas purifier; c) enabling an automatic control system to open said air inlet for guiding outside fresh air into said combustion chamber when the pressure of the waste gas being delivered through said combustion chamber toward said exhaust-gas purifier surpasses a predetermined pressure level; d) starting a flamethrower to project a long controllable stream of fire into said combustion chamber to heat said combustion chamber to a temperature range of 350° C.˜600° C.; e) enabling the heated waste gas to pass from said combustion chamber through said exhaust gas purifier toward said output end of said exhaust pipe to remove cumulated carbon from said exhaust gas purifier; and f) enabling said automatic control system to close said air inlet and to open said waste gas inlet for guiding a waste gas from a diesel engine into said combustion chamber toward said output end of said exhaust pipe via said exhaust gas purifier when the pressure of the waste gas pressure of the waste gas being delivered through said combustion chamber toward said exhaust-gas purifier drops below said predetermined pressure level.
 2. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automatic control system is provided with a timer and a milometer for enabling a user to set a predetermined time interval and a predetermined mileage so that when the set predetermined time internal is up or when the travel distance of the vehicle in which said exhaust pipe is installed reaches the set mileage, said automatic control system opens said air inlet and closes said waste gas inlet and then turns on said flamethrower.
 3. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air inlet has mounted therein a one-way valve to prohibit reverse flow of intake air; said waste gas inlet has mounted therein a one-way valve to prohibit reverse flow of intake waste gas.
 4. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor is a backpressure sensor.
 5. The carbon deposition eliminating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said exhaust gas purifier is a honeycomb novel metal catalyst converter. 